Bristle Worm - should I remove

hooked · 01-22-2002, 11:58 AM

Hello, my tank has been running for a short time and I have seen my first bristle worm. I read on some websites that they are bad if they get to big, could kill small fish. What is too big? This guy looks to be in the range of 3 inches and could be bigger since I haven't seen the other end of him. For me it was cool, my first reef tank setup so I was pretty excited. The big qestion, should I remove or leave him in tank? Any help would be appreciated.

Homer · 01-22-2002, 12:30 PM

Hi, I believe most eveyone on this board will tell you to keep the worm. I have lots crawling all over my 90g. It was set up in July of last year.

I have none that long, that I know of.

Homer

KingTor · 01-22-2002, 03:08 PM

I'm certainly no expert, but from what I've heard, the bristle worms can get a bit troublesome when they get that big. It's one of the reasons that I have an arrow crab in the tank, although some would say that he's eating too many beneficial critters. Like the smaller bristle worms.

FLHT · 01-22-2002, 05:19 PM

Keep the worm. I don't if 3 inches is "all" that long.
How do you find him? Does he come out? at night?
Is he crawling in things? or just in the sand?
If he is just in the sand I'd let him be. If he is crawling
on inverts or something like that you may want to
remove him or at least keep your eye on him.
FLHT

hooked · 01-22-2002, 05:38 PM

Its funny that you ask. I just discovered him yesterday ( 1.22.02). I came home from work today to feed my fish as always and didn't see him, soon as a few flakes hit the ground out he came. It appears that he is hiding under one of my rocks that lay on the sand bed. He doesn't appear to bother anybody but he looks like a big one. He is eatting good thats for sure. keeping the area around him clean. Finished feeding and he is back in hiding

.

Wrasse Man · 01-23-2002, 08:36 AM

I would recomend leaving it in there. I haven't noticed any problems with Harry & Maude, my 2 big bristles. They are pushing 5" now. Kind of creepy watching them slither along at night looking for funk. I have seen one of them slide right past my sleeping filament wrasse. I think if the worm wanted to take out the wrasse he could have.

just my .02

MontanaRocknReefer · 01-23-2002, 11:14 AM

Hi Jim! Bristleworms are probably the most important of your DSB infauna(critters) and should be very beneficial to your reef's health. I have read that there are a couple types of bristleworms that are bad but on the whole they are very good to have.
I know I have one that is 5" and longer as I have not seen the whole worm and have had no problems to this date and it has been in this tank for almost a year. So I would say keep it and be happy you have it! Johnny